The goal of the project is to investigate how a newly discovered antiviral pathway is activated and regulated and what its role is in determining viral pathogenesis and persistence. The type I interferon (IFN) system plays a major role in innate antiviral response. Virus infection activates the transcription factor IRF-3, which is responsible for the induction of IFN and other antiviral proteins. Recent investigation by us has revealed that IRF-3 also activates an IFN-independent pro-apoptotic pathway, named RIPA (RIG-I-activated IRF-3-mediated Pathway of Apoptosis). To trigger RIPA, activated IRF-3 binds Bax and translocates it to mitochondria to cause apoptosis;the two functions of IRF-3 are genetically separable. RIPA is activated by many RNA and DNA viruses and inhibits both viral replication and pathogenesis. RIPA is temporally regulated through the action of XIAP and PI3 kinase, which is also activated upon virus infection. In the absence of RIPA, viruses establish persistent infection. Here we propose to investigate RIPA further.
In Aim 1, we will investigate how IRF-3 is activated in RIPA as a consequence of phosphorylation of specific serine residues and ubiquitynation of specific lysine residues. Genetic and biochemical analyses will be used for this purpose.
In Aim 2, we will investigate how viruses evade RIPA temporarily, by triggering negative regulation of RIPA though activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, which in turn activates PI3 kinase.
In Aim 3, we will investigate the physiological relevance of RIPA in determining the outcome of virus infection. Mutant cells defective in one, but not the other, action of IRF-3, will be used for measuring the role of RIPA on the efficiency of virus replication and establishing viral persistence. Finally, genetically modified mice, including new IRF-3 mutant knock-in mice which have been generated for this project, will be used to assess the in vivo contribution of RIPA in controlling viral pathogenesis.

Public Health Relevance

Because viral diseases are major health risks to the society, it is important to understand how they are caused and how our natural defense mechanisms can protect us. A virus-infected cell can be productively infected and produce a large number of infections progeny viruses;hence, an effective antiviral strategy, for the host, is to promote death of the infected cell before it produces more viruses. This proposal is to investigate how such suicidal response of the infected cell is triggered and regulated.